Career advice for engineers

Think Again: Improve the next step in your engineering career and make your current job more fulfilling.

Mark T. Hoske

10/31/2011

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Many engineers are too humble or busy to think much about career advancement. Yet practicing a few soft skills can get you ahead, when the time comes, while making the time in your current position more fulfilling. The Oct. 12-13 CFE Media Career Smart Engineers Conference offered engineering career advice from 11 speakers and other inspiration along the way.

Mark Goodale, principal at Morrissey Goodale LLC, said:

- Showing a vulnerability in a key moment can help you bond with others.

- People don’t buy what you do. They’re more interested in why you do it.

- Are you getting the most from your own resources? Find what markets are most valuable.

- Lead through trust, rather than fear. Encourage an environment where people can have their say (not necessarily get their way). Not listening and not talking are among the two biggest wastes of time, because if people cannot say no, the yeses are meaningless.

- Be about continuous improvement and finding out what customers want. One year from now, what can you say that you did to transform your company, unit, or team?